THE Ultra Low Emission Zone has expanded across all Greater London boroughs, meaning more people now have to pay a daily charge of £12.50 to drive around.
Though the expansion has sparked much controversy, many cars - including electric vehicles - are actually exempt from the fees.
Are electric cars exempt from ULEZ charges?
All fully electric cars are exempt from the ULEZ charge and do not need to pay the daily fee to travel in the designated zones.
This exemption covers electric vehicles of any age, plus any vehicle that has been properly converted and registered as a battery car,
Some hybrid cars are also exempt from charges, but they must follow the same rules as petrol or diesel cars.
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This means petrol hybrids must meet Euro 4 emission standards and diesel hybrids need to meet Euro 6 standards.
Generally, petrol hybrids first registered in 2006 or later will be able to enter the ULEZ for free, as will most diesel hybrids registered in 2015 or later.
What vehicles are exempt from the charges?
In order to be exempt from the ULEZ charges, any petrol fulled cars must meet Euro 4 emission standards, which were introduced in 2006.
Diesel cars, meanwhile, must meet more stringent Euro 6 standards, which were introduced later, in 2015.
Petrol or diesel cars first registered before these standards came into place may be liable to pay the ULEZ charge.
Similarly, motorcycles must meet Euro 3 emissions standards, which were made mandatory in 2007.
The Euro standard applicable to your vehicle may be written on its V5 document.
Drivers are encouraged to check their vehicle's ULEZ compliance on the TfL website to be sure.
Other exemptions include:
- Vehicles with a historic tax class
- Military vehicles
- Some farm vehicles
- Circus vehicles
The following cars are also exempt from ULEZ charges:
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- Nissan Leaf
- Honda Jazz
- Suzuki Sport Swift
- Ford Fiesta EcoBoost
- Skoda Octavia
- Toyota Prius
- Volkswagen Golf
- Audi A3 Sportback
- SEAT Ibiza
- Kia Ceed
- Renault Zoe
- MINI Electric
- Hyundai Kona
What other exceptions to ULEZ are there?
London-licenced taxis up to 15 years old are exempt from the ULEZ charges.
Certain specialist farm vehicles, tanks, and diggers may also be exempt, as are some showman's vehicles.
Vehicle owners in the "disabled" tax class are not fully exempt but there is a temporary grace period in place that means they will not be charged until October 24, 2025.
Minicabs with wheelchair access can also take advantage of that grace period, provided they are being used to carry out a private hire booking.
Minibus drivers working for a charity or public school can also register for the grace period.
NHS patients may able to get a reimbursement on ULEZ charges if they are too ill to travel by public transport to their appointments.
